MONCTON, NB - Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir is encouraging people to get the facts about the proposed energy deal with Hydro Quebec.

Jack Keir says his sole responsibility over the next five months will be to explain to New Brunswickers why this is a good thing.

Keir says he understands people are afraid of the unknown but he says that will change once they understand the deal.

Hydro-Quebec is proposing to buy most of the assets of N-B Power in a 10 billion dollar deal.

The tentative agreement would free New Brunswick of its debt-laden utility and put Quebec in an advantageous position to sell electricity to energy-starved markets in the northeastern U-S.

Keir admits selling off the utility is a big change from the Liberal's stance before they got elected, but this opportunity is too great to ignore.

Keir says contrary to what the opposition claims, New Brunswick is not giving up control.

He says just as with NB Power the province will be able to set it's energy policy and direct Hydro Quebec accordingly.